National City, CA Crime Rate & Safety
Higher crime than 86% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is National City Safe?
Not really — crime is above the national average
Neighborhood choice matters significantly. Stay aware of your surroundings, especially at night.
National City has a crime rate that is 45% above the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 195.
100% of National City neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety, while 0% have high crime rates.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 195
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
35% higher than national average
Property Crime
1 in 35
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
58% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
National City Crime Breakdown
Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
139 | +39% | Moderate | |
|
Assault
|
124 | +24% | Moderate | |
|
Robbery
|
160 | +60% | Moderate | |
|
Rape
|
163 | +63% | Moderate | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
118 | +18% | Average | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
142 | +42% | Moderate | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
182 | +82% | Moderate | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
National City Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Where Is It Safe in National City?
Safety varies dramatically across National City's 4+ neighborhoods.
Neighborhood Safety Distribution
Out of 4 neighborhoods in National City
All National City Neighborhoods
| # | Neighborhood | Grade | Crime Index |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Canyon Ridge | B+ | 94 |
| 2 | Cypress Glen | B+ | 100 |
| 3 | Paradise Valley | B+ | 127 |
| 4 | Paradise Village | B+ | 170 |
National City Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific National City zip codes.
National City Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in National City, CA?
National City, CA has a crime safety grade of C- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 45% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 195 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 35 chance for property crime. National City has higher crime than 86% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is National City, CA safe to live in?
National City has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C-. Approximately 100% of the city's 4 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting National City is strongly recommended.
What are the safest neighborhoods in National City?
Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in National City are Canyon Ridge, Cypress Glen, Paradise Valley, and Paradise Village. These areas have significantly lower crime rates than the city average and are popular choices for families, professionals, and anyone prioritizing safety.
What is the violent crime rate in National City?
The estimated violent crime rate in National City is 512.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 35% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 195 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 6.9 per 100K (39% above average); aggravated assault at 332.9 per 100K (24% above average); robbery at 117.9 per 100K (60% above average).
What is the property crime rate in National City?
The estimated property crime rate in National City is 2,886.7 per 100,000 residents, which is 58% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 35 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 318.9 per 100K (18% above average); larceny/theft at 1,988.4 per 100K (42% above average); vehicle theft at 579.4 per 100K (82% above average).
How does National City crime compare to the national average?
National City's overall crime rate is 45% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is vehicle theft (82% above average), while burglary is 18% above average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, National City has higher crime than 86% of them.
Is National City safe to visit?
Visitors to National City should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 58% above average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods. Popular, safer areas for visitors include Canyon Ridge, Cypress Glen, Paradise Valley.
How does National City crime compare to the rest of California?
California as a whole has crime that is 9% above the national average. National City's crime rate is 45% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical California city.
What type of crime is most common in National City?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in National City, with an estimated rate of 1,988.4 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 42% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (2,887 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (512 per 100K) in National City, which is consistent with national trends.